In Saudi Arabia, women can't drive. So when Bakurji goes out, her oldest son is at the wheel. Despite her lack of privileges, in this election, not only did she want to vote, but stand as a candidate too.

"I thought I was doing my government a favor because I don't think they could have said, out-and-out, 'Come on women, come forward,'" Bakurji said.

But before the election, there was much debate. Hatoon AlFassi, a professor of ancient history, pushed hard.

"On the legal front, we have proven we have the right," AlFassi said. "And this is a big victory."

And, as MacVicar reports, the victory might have been a step too far. Saudis say the government got cold feet, and ordered election organizers to claim the need to segregate women and men made it too difficult for women to run or even vote.